A compact turning circle, heavy-duty hydraulic power brakes and a redesigned boom are hallmarks of the Terex TLB890 and TLB990 backhoe loaders now being brought into Australia by Semco.
Both machines are driven by a powerful 100hp (74.5kW) liquid-cooled engine and feature a new, cast hard-nose counterweight which is designed to deliver a smoother ride and better balance.
A redesigned curved ‘banana’ boom delivers a reach of 5,877 mm and a dig depth of 4,442 mm — and also helps lower the overall height when on the road — and a new inner slide extending dipperstick helps deliver faster working cycles and rapid bucket filling, Semco says.
High-quality cast steel is used to build the “massive” side-shift and boom swing tower, the company adds, while two double-acting slewing rams feature a cushioned end-stroke that provides “powerful and smooth slew capability, even on uphill grades”.
Front fold-over forks are available as a factory installation on these Terex backhoe loaders. The mounting bosses for these are built in to the 1.2-cubic-metre-capacity 4-in-1 bucket, and there are standard anti-drop valves front and rear for safer operation of forklift jobs or suspended loads.
A standout new feature on the TLB990 is its four-wheel steering system and uniform size front and rear tyres, which allow it to operate within a turning circle of just 7.3m in crab-steer mode.
“All it needs is the flick of a switch for the operator to select between four, two and crab steering,” Semco says. “This versatility makes this machine an ideal tool for manoeuvring on tight job sites or for tasks that require control and precision.
“Terex has also redesigned the rear axle on both models to incorporate a heavy duty hydraulic power braking system that holds the machine safely in position on steep grades. This system acts on all four wheels in ‘roading’ mode for safer and more controllable braking in all conditions.”